BITS & PIECES

I can feel the old belt beginning to tighten

Emory SchleyColumnist

Published: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 6:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 6:27 p.m.

Last week was a full week of gluttony for me, and not a very auspicious way to end the old year or to start a new year. I certainly didn't plan it this way, but in one week's time I had spaghetti and meatballs four times. That's a lot of spaghetti, even for an inveterate spaghetti lover like me. It might even be a personal record.

This is how it happened:

Dearly Beloved had been looking for ideas for meal preparation when I told her we hadn't had spaghetti for quite a while, not at home anyway. So, with a little assistance from yours truly, she put together a humongous batch of spaghetti sauce and meatballs, letting it simmer for hours on end to lock the flavor in. Now, DB is quite a remarkable cook. Our combined girth certainly testifies to that claim, and that first dinner of spaghetti and meatballs was truly delicious.

Two days later, we had spaghetti and meatballs again, trying unsuccessfully to clean up the leftovers. Then, on Friday, I was planning to take her to a restaurant on State Road 40 I had heard about several months ago. When we got there, we were dismayed to see the place apparently had closed. So, I had also heard some good reports about a Chinese restaurant on Highway 27, so we headed that way.

We found it, but discovered it was primarily a take-out place. We weren't in the mood for that, so we decided to try the restaurant next door, Roma Italian Restaurant. Now, perhaps, you're beginning to see my predicament.

Confronted by a menu that features spaghetti and meatballs, how could I not fall victim to such an overwhelming temptation? So, I ordered my favorite dish. I also noticed there was quite a bit of lobster coming out of the kitchen, making its way to diners' tables. I overhead one patron say she was from New England and thought Roma's lobster was the best she had come across in all of Beautiful Marion County. You couldn't prove it by me but, like I said, there seemed to be quite a few lobsters being ordered by the guests, and I was hearing no complaints.

The spaghetti was pretty doggoned good, and DB raved about her clam chowder and Italian panini.

While there, we met reader Don Rogers, of SummerGlen, who waylaid our waitress to pay for our meal. Thank you, Don, that was an unexpected Christmas surprise.

Our waitress, Lilly, deserves special mention. She is an exceptionally attentive and conscientious employee. If you sit at one of her tables, you'll be taken care of like you were royalty.

The eatery, which has quite an extensive menu, is at 2775 NW 49th Ave., Ste. 201, Ocala. That would be in the Publix Plaza about a mile west of I-75 and across from Ocala Palms. You can call them at 368-7662. And if you decide to go there, be sure to tell 'em Emory sent you!

The best, however, was still to come. On Christmas Eve afternoon, we pulled into the Sammy's Restaurant parking lot in Jasmine Square at State Road 200 and Southwest 60th Avenue and went inside. I was planning to order stromboli, but decided that with the excellent spaghetti meal I had eaten at Roma's, perhaps I should try another plate of Sammy's spaghetti, just for comparison's sake, you understand. When my fourth plate of spaghetti and meatballs for the week arrived, I plunged right into the most sumptuous spaghetti and meatballs in the county.

Despite a very close call, I have to say Sammy's is still No. 1 in the spaghetti department.

Right now, he is offering a plate of spaghetti and meatballs on Mondays only for $6.99, and on Tuesdays only, a cheese pizza for the same price. I don't know how long this will last so you'd better hurry. And, of course, tell 'em who sent you!

Finally, for this evening's meal at home, DB has told me I can look forward to — what else, spaghetti and meatballs. That should clean up the last of those leftovers.

And, if you're wondering where DB's spaghetti rates on the taste scale, I'm afraid I'll just have to say it would be totally unfair to compare her cooking to any restaurant offerings. (She told me, I'd better say that — or else!)

Send comments to slyguy73@gmail.com and include your full name and town. This column appears every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and online at www.ocala.com.

<p>Last week was a full week of gluttony for me, and not a very auspicious way to end the old year or to start a new year. I certainly didn't plan it this way, but in one week's time I had spaghetti and meatballs four times. That's a lot of spaghetti, even for an inveterate spaghetti lover like me. It might even be a personal record.</p><p>This is how it happened:</p><p><b>Dearly Beloved</b> had been looking for ideas for meal preparation when I told her we hadn't had spaghetti for quite a while, not at home anyway. So, with a little assistance from yours truly, she put together a humongous batch of spaghetti sauce and meatballs, letting it simmer for hours on end to lock the flavor in. Now, DB is quite a remarkable cook. Our combined girth certainly testifies to that claim, and that first dinner of spaghetti and meatballs was truly delicious.</p><p>Two days later, we had spaghetti and meatballs again, trying unsuccessfully to clean up the leftovers. Then, on Friday, I was planning to take her to a restaurant on State Road 40 I had heard about several months ago. When we got there, we were dismayed to see the place apparently had closed. So, I had also heard some good reports about a Chinese restaurant on Highway 27, so we headed that way.</p><p>We found it, but discovered it was primarily a take-out place. We weren't in the mood for that, so we decided to try the restaurant next door, Roma Italian Restaurant. Now, perhaps, you're beginning to see my predicament.</p><p>Confronted by a menu that features spaghetti and meatballs, how could I not fall victim to such an overwhelming temptation? So, I ordered my favorite dish. I also noticed there was quite a bit of lobster coming out of the kitchen, making its way to diners' tables. I overhead one patron say she was from New England and thought Roma's lobster was the best she had come across in all of Beautiful Marion County. You couldn't prove it by me but, like I said, there seemed to be quite a few lobsters being ordered by the guests, and I was hearing no complaints.</p><p>The spaghetti was pretty doggoned good, and DB raved about her clam chowder and Italian panini.</p><p>While there, we met reader <b>Don Rogers</b>, of SummerGlen, who waylaid our waitress to pay for our meal. Thank you, Don, that was an unexpected Christmas surprise.</p><p>Our waitress, <b>Lilly</b>, deserves special mention. She is an exceptionally attentive and conscientious employee. If you sit at one of her tables, you'll be taken care of like you were royalty.</p><p>The eatery, which has quite an extensive menu, is at 2775 NW 49th Ave., Ste. 201, Ocala. That would be in the Publix Plaza about a mile west of I-75 and across from Ocala Palms. You can call them at 368-7662. And if you decide to go there, be sure to tell 'em Emory sent you!</p><p>The best, however, was still to come. On Christmas Eve afternoon, we pulled into the Sammy's Restaurant parking lot in Jasmine Square at State Road 200 and Southwest 60th Avenue and went inside. I was planning to order stromboli, but decided that with the excellent spaghetti meal I had eaten at Roma's, perhaps I should try another plate of Sammy's spaghetti, just for comparison's sake, you understand. When my fourth plate of spaghetti and meatballs for the week arrived, I plunged right into the most sumptuous spaghetti and meatballs in the county.</p><p>Despite a very close call, I have to say Sammy's is still No. 1 in the spaghetti department.</p><p>Right now, he is offering a plate of spaghetti and meatballs on Mondays only for $6.99, and on Tuesdays only, a cheese pizza for the same price. I don't know how long this will last so you'd better hurry. And, of course, tell 'em who sent you!</p><p>Finally, for this evening's meal at home, DB has told me I can look forward to — what else, spaghetti and meatballs. That should clean up the last of those leftovers.</p><p>And, if you're wondering where DB's spaghetti rates on the taste scale, I'm afraid I'll just have to say it would be totally unfair to compare her cooking to any restaurant offerings. (She told me, I'd better say that — or else!)</p><p><i>Send comments to slyguy73@gmail.com and include your full name and town. This column appears every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and online at www.ocala.com.</i></p>